Product Description

This completely revised edition of the Penguin Guide reviews the major classical recordings issued and reissued over the past five decades, many of which dominate the catalogue because of their sheer excellence, irrespective of recording dates. More comprehensive than ever before and now updated annually, it indicates key recordings on CD, DVD and enhanced SACD, including those in surround sound. If you want the finest available version of any major classical work (including DVDs of opera and ballet) you will find it listed and assessed in these pages. Ranging from long-established recordings to the newest releases, the latest edition represents the cream of the international repertoire and has all the information you need to select the finest classical music available. The 2010 Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music offers: > The pick of the latest CD releases, as well as outstanding established recordings > Assessment of the impact and importance of video and audio DVDs > The greatest historic performances, many available in excellent new transfers > The major period instrument recordings > An in-depth appraisal of the best of the budget-priced CDs, including countless recent reissues

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18509 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1602 pages

About the Author
Ivan March is a well-known lecturer, journalist and writer in the world of recorded music. Edward Greenfield was on the staff of the Guardian for forty years and is a regular BBC broadcaster. Robert Layton is a journalist and broadcaster. Paul Czajkowski is a journalist.

Customer Reviews

How the mighty have fallen!
Once upon a time, The Penguin Guide was THE guide to classical music on CD, and before that, LP. However, over the last decade, the quality and reliability of the guide have been steadily falling, as the the three main authors - who are not getting any younger - have struggled to keep up with new releases. As a result, many significant new classical issues received either superficial reviews or none at all. The 2010 Guide takes the biscuit: firstly, it has shrunk - it's not the 1600 pages quoted above, but only just over 1300, about 200 fewer than last year. And secondly, the retail price has gone up by a third in a year (and this at a time of deflation in many markets). Even at Amazon's substantial discount, this book is hugely overpriced - go for the Gramophone equivalent instead.

Still a key reference guide for me
I know that some reviews have criticised the latest edition, but for me this Guide still remains THE indispensable starting point for any "consultation" of classical music CDs, particularly the more standard repertoire. Granted, it is no longer as universal as it might have once been, but it would be too much to ask given the proliferation of media and methods of publishing/releasing recorded music. I use this new edition alongside online reviews and blogs to try and get a balance. The inclusion of more DVDs' (of Operas and Concerts) reviews is also very important in this edition.

where next for this guide?
Well I still give three stars, but only because of the value of what's in this latest edition. I give a max of one star because of what it leaves out, and what it leaves out has increased in leaps and bounds in recent years, rendering the volume of increasingly limited use for any serious music collector. Until a few years ago a very significant chunk of the book was quite rightly devoted to recordings - integral to the overall published discography - which cannot be categorised by composer - eg ensemble/artist specific, themed issues, anthologies etc. For a while the annual yearbook continued to give substantial coverage (eg nearly 300 pages in the 2006/7 book) but as this updating volume seems to have disappeared we have lost - presumably for ever - any commentary from these illustrious critics on these issues. I'll continue to buy it - force of habit really, but the authors must state very clearly what their purpose now is for this erstwhile bible - it's continued claim as a 'Guide to Recorded Classical Music', is a serious misrepresentation. I also agree it is quite disgraceful to us faithful consumers that the overall content has decreased and yet the price has gone up by 25% - how on earth do they rationalise this - and in a period of universal recession to boot? I for one would pay considerably more for a volume (or volumes) provided it genuinely fulfilled its title.